The Relationship Between Problem-Solving Ability and Self-Harm Amongst People with Mild Intellectual Disabilities

Joanna Rees, Peter Langdon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between depression, hopelessness, problem-solving ability and self-harming behaviours amongst people with mild intellectual disabilities (IDs).

METHODS: Thirty-six people with mild IDs (77.9% women, Mage  = 31.77, SD = 10.73, MIQ  = 62.65, SD = 5.74) who had a history of self-harm were recruited. Participants were asked to complete measures of depression, hopelessness and problem-solving ability.

RESULTS: Cutting was most frequently observed, and depression was prevalent amongst the sample. There was a significant positive relationship between depression and hopelessness, while there was no significant relationship between self-harm and depression or hopelessness. Problem-solving ability explained 15% of the variance in self-harm scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Problem-solving ability appears to be associated with self-harming behaviours in people with mild IDs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)387-393
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID
Volume29
Issue number4
Early online date29 Apr 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2016
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords

  • depression
  • learning disabilities
  • neurodevel-opmental disorders
  • problem-solving task (PST)
  • self-harm
  • self-injury

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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